3rd XI Vs Harlow

The Brentwood team turned up at Harlow looking forward to getting changed in the caravan that passes as a pavilion. Let’s hope we stay in the league so that we can enjoy using Harlow’s new pavilion that is being built for next year. Captain Willis lost the toss and Brentwood were asked to bat on a very interesting wicket. Nigel Bacon went early from a full ball being caught by the keeper and 13 year old Will Davey was walking to the crease a lot earlier than he would have hoped .There then followed a spell of about 6 overs where Davey struggled to get to grips with the pace and deviation of the bowling but boy did he concentrate. He left everything he could and got behind everything that he couldn’t. He was holding an end up whilst Willis was playing some nice shots through the covers, but eventually Willis holed out for 42.

Sam Dawes came to the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking over Davey went for 8 but it was the time he spent at the crease that was important. James Bainbridge got himself in then out and Tom Harries went very soon after. This brought Dave Balroop to the crease and the experienced cricketer paced his innings beautifully. Sam Dawes was bowled for 38, George Wingrove went the same way soon after. Luke Wells hit some nice shots but when he was out Brentwood were still short of a decent total.

Harb Pabla and Balroop then started swinging the bat to good effect. Balroop finally going for 70 and Pabla ending up on 31 not out as Payne was caught with 2 balls left of the innings. 229 on such a small ground was not a massive score but at least the runs were on the board. All Brentwood had to do now was eat a very nice tea then bowl and field well.

It all seemed to be going to plan as Harlow were about 8 for 3 after 4 overs. Balroop bowling two batsmen out and Wells getting one to nip away with a good catch from wicket keeper Bacon. Harlow then dug in. Balroop got one more wicket and Payne got a couple but a few catches were dropped and all the bowlers probably didn’t bowl as tightly as they would have liked.

Harlow went on to win the game with 5 overs to spare.

You could say that Brentwood were about 30-40 runs short of a good total but looking back probably the bowling and fielding were our biggest downfall.

On a positive note the effort in the field was brilliant and if we keep working together and backing each other up we will get to see Harlow’s new pavilion next year. Unless they go down ?